Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
A woman from Honiton has appeared in court charged with defrauding a local agricultural charity out of more than £200,000 over nearly a decade.
Geraldine Coates, who previously served as treasurer of the Honiton and District Agricultural Association (HDAA), attended Exeter Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 29th January, to face allegations of financial misconduct.
According to court documents, Coates is accused of committing fraud between April 2009 and August 2018 while handling the charity’s finances. During the hearing, she did not indicate a plea, and District Judge Stuart Smith ruled that the case was too serious to be dealt with at the magistrates' level.
As a result, Coates has been remanded on unconditional bail until her next court appearance. Her trial is scheduled to take place at Exeter Crown Court on 28th February, where she will answer to the charges in full.
The HDAA, a well-established East Devon charity supporting …
